News

Vi Gosling died peacefully on Monday morning

First published
in News
Last updated
by Natalie Glanvill, Reporter, covering Chingford, Highams Park and Woodford. Call me on 07795 476 625

A community activist and former councillor has died.

Vi Gostling MBE, died at Whipps Cross Hospital on Monday morning, at the age of 97.

The lifelong Labour supporter, former councillor in Leyton and deputy mayor prior to the formation of Waltham Forest, was known throughout the community for her activism and support of public libraries.

She had lived in the same house in Cheneys Road, Leytonstone, her entire life and remained active in various voluntary groups despite suffering from Osteoarthritis.

In 2009, Ms Gostling was awarded an MBE for her outstanding contribution to society, which included her involvement in the libraries committee and the Waltham Forest Arts Council, as well as being instrumental in the founding of the Waltham Forest Civic Society and Waltham Forest Arts.

Ms Gostling was a vocal opponent to the closing of Leytonstone's Harrow Green Library in 2011 and challenged the potential closure of the William Morris Gallery, and the council's proposal to sell-off artefacts.

Ros Kane, organiser and founder of the Leytonstone-based News from Nowhere Club, has worked with Ms Gostling on a variety of projects and campaigns over the years.

She said: "Vi had enormous integrity and was very passionate in the need for arts, helping our young people, and ensuring good government.

"She inspired many and earned respect and affection in Waltham Forest and beyond.

"In every person she met, she always took a great interest and was adamant about bringing all parts of the community together, such as with the Leytonstone Festival.

"She was outspoken but also diplomatic and a very good chairperson at meetings. She will be sadly missed."

Her ties in the community span across Waltham Forest and involved several different sectors, such as governing Tom Hood School and the Acacia Nursery, to setting up Leytonstone Festival and Waltham Forest Drama Festival.

She was from an era when principles mattered in the community and when 'Community' meant more than it does these days where varios governments have failed in attempting to socially engineer 'community' the result being the contrary, namely 'lack of community or integration'.

She was from an era when principles mattered in the community and when 'Community' meant more than it does these days where varios governments have failed in attempting to socially engineer 'community' the result being the contrary, namely 'lack of community or integration'.Villagecranberry

Vi Gostling was involved for many years in the town twinnig between London Borough of Waltham Forest and the Bezirk Hamburg Wandsbek.
She worked a lot for the friendship between England and Germany.
For that she got the "Bundesverdienstkreu
z".
We have to thank here very much for here work.

Leyton Wandsbek Freundschaftsbund
Rolf Mäkel

Vi Gostling was involved for many years in the town twinnig between London Borough of Waltham Forest and the Bezirk Hamburg Wandsbek.
She worked a lot for the friendship between England and Germany.
For that she got the "Bundesverdienstkreu
z".
We have to thank here very much for here work.
Leyton Wandsbek Freundschaftsbund
Rolf MäkelRolfMäkel